Infrared intruder detection system

Abstract: An intruder detection system for sensing infrared radiated by an intruder through a window-pane and detecting the intrusion through the reception of an output from the infrared sensor, in which the system includes a light emitter for projecting infrared ray toward a detection area, and a light acceptor for receiving at least part of the infrared ray projected by the light emitter through an obstruction detection optical path, the light emitter and the light acceptor being located in opposite positions with respect to the window-pane.

Description: FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to an intruder detection system, and more particularly to a passive type intruder detection system for securing detection even if any obstruction intervenes between the detector and an intruder. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION An intruder detection system is commonly provided with a light receiving window having a light transmissive pane (hereinafter referred to as "window-pane") through which an acceptor receives infrared ray radiated by an intruder passing through a detection area. It may happen that an intruder who knows the presence of a detection system deliberately covers the window with a non-transmissive material such as cloth so as to disable the detection system. Such an obstruction may inadvertently happen owing to wind or any other cause. As a result, an alarm will fail, an automatic door will not open, or no signal is transmitted to a contract security service. Accordingly, there is a need for a passive type intruder detection system capable of securing the detection of an intruder even if the window is deliberately or inadvertently covered with a non-transmissive material. Such a system is known from EP-A-499 177 which discloses an intruder detection system for sensing infrared radiated by a human intruder through a window-pane and detecting the intrusion through the reception of an output from the infrared sensor, the system including a light emitter for projecting infrared ray toward a detection area, and a light acceptor for receiving at least part of the infrared ray projected by the light emitter through an obstruction detection optical path, the light emitter and the light acceptor being located in opposite positions with respect to the window. Thus, even if a light absorptive cover is placed directly on the window-pane or at a distance therefrom, the intrusion detection is secured. An object of the present invention is to provide an improved detection system of this kind, as claimed in the appending claim. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a view, vertically in cross-section, of an optical section incorporated in the intrusion detection system according to the present invention; Figure 2(A) is a front view showing a prism lens on an enlarged scale shown in Figure 1; Figure 2(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line c-c in Figure 2(A); Figure 3 is an explanatory view exemplifying an optical action performed by the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is an explanatory view exemplifying an optical action performed by an obstructive act; Figure 5 is an explanatory view exemplifying an optical action performed by another type of obstructive act; Figure 6 is a block diagram showing an electric circuit for detecting an obstructive act; and Figures 7(A) to 7(E) are diagrammatic views showing the actions of the electric circuit shown in Figure 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the exemplary detection system is designed to be placed on a wall. A housing 1 includes a back plate 1A placeable on a wall and an eaves-like plate 1B projecting forward. The housing 1 is provided with a mounting plate 2 in parallel with the back plate 1A, and with a window-pane 3 made of a polyethylene sheet having a Fresnel lens 4 formed on the back thereof. A PIR (passive infrared photosensor) sensor is disposed at a focusing position of the Fresnel lens 4. The window-pane 3, the Fresnel lens 4 and the PIR sensor 5 constitute an intruder detection system. A light emitter 7 which consists of an infrared emitting diode is fixed to a lower end of the mounting plate 2, and a prism lens 8 disposed in front of the emitter 7. A light acceptor 9 which consists of an infrared receiving diode is fixed to an upper end of the mounting plate 2. The reference numeral 10 designates a reflecting mirror which reflects light from the light emitter 7 and allows it into the acceptor 9 as shown in Figure 3. As shown in Figure 2(A), the prism lens 8 includes a lens portion 82 for allowing light to pass straight therethrough and a prism portion 83 for allowing light to diagonally deflect upward. Referring to Figure 3, the optical action of the exemplary system will be described: If an intruder passes through a detection area, the infrared ray radiated by the intruder passes through the window-pane 3, and is focused by the Fresnel lens 4. Then it is received by the PIR sensor 5 which generates a signal. The light emitter 7 and prism lens 8 project light both in an open optical path (A) and a closed optical path (B). If no obstructive object intervenes in the optical path (A), the light is projected into the open optical path (A) and disperses without being received by the acceptor 9. Part of the light from the light emitter 7 is projected into the closed optical path (B), and after reflecting upon the mirror 10, it is incident to the acceptor 9. The path from the light emitter 7 to the light acceptor 9 through the reflecting mirror 10 constitutes an obstacle detection optical path 13, which are indicated by the arrows. Referring to Figure 4, a counteraction against an obstructive act will be described: An obstructive object 11 is placed at a distance from the window-pane 3 so that the PIR sensor 5 may fail to receive the infrared radiated by an intruder passing through the detection area. The light in the open optical path (A) reflects upon the obstructive object 11, and part of it is received by the acceptor 9, thereby increasing the amount of light received in the acceptor 9. Referring to Figure 5, a counteraction in response to another type of obstructive act intended to directly cover the window-pane 3: An obstructive cover 11 is placed directly on the window-pane 3, so that the PIR sensor 5 fails to receive infrared radiated by an intruder passing through the detection area. The obstructive cover 11 also blocks the closed optical path (B), thereby decreasing the amount of light received in the acceptor 9. Referring to Figure 6, the light emitter 7 emits light upon reception of outputs of a pulse generator 12. The interval of time T is preferably 0.01 to 10 seconds. A short period of time T does not enhance the accuracy of detection but results in the consumption of electricity in emitting light constantly. A long period of time T is disadvantageous in that if an intruder stole into the site immediately after the window is covered, the intruder cannot be detected by the PIR sensor 5. In this case, an alternative way is to inform a contract security service of the detection of an obstructive act as soon as it is detected. The acceptor 9 receives part of the light from the light emitter 7 that passes through the obstacle detection optical path 13. The output of the acceptor 9 is stepped up by an amplifier 14, and a peak value output of the amplifier 14 is held by a sample holding circuit 15 which is operated in synchronism with the pulse generator 12 and the pulse output. A window comparator 16 removes components existing between those at low level (Th-L) and at high-level (Th-H) In this way, the window comparator 16 outputs signals when any component above and below these levels are input. An output circuit 17 outputs an obstacle detection signal in response to the outputs of the window comparator 16. Referring to Figure 7, various waveforms of signals will be explained: Figure 7(A) shows a waveform of the output of the pulse generator 12, and Figure 7(B) shows that of the amplifier 14 wherein the waveform indicated by 1 ○ is obtained when no obstruction is present, that indicated by 2 ○ is obtained when an incident light increases owing to the addition of a reflecting light from an obstacle object (Figure 4), and that indicated by 3 ○ is obtained when an incident light decreases owing to the presence of an obstacle (Figure 4). Figure 7(C) shows the waveforms of outputs of the sample holding circuit 15, wherein those indicated by 1 ○, 2 ○, and 3 ○ correspond to those indicated by 1 ○, 2 ○, and 3 ○. Figure 7(D) shows the waveforms of signals input to the window comparator 16 wherein the levels Th-H and Th-L are shown for the upper limit and lower limit. Figure 7(E) shows the waveforms of outputs of the window comparator 16 in correspondence to the states shown in Figure 7(D).

Claims: An intruder detection system for sensing infrared radiated by a human intruder through a window (3) of the system and detecting the intrusion through the reception of an output from the infrared sensor (5), the system comprising : a light emitter (7) provided outside the window (3) so as to project infrared ray toward a detection area ; a light acceptor (9) provided inside the window (3) ; wherein the light emitter (7) projects light into a first optical path (A) that extends to a detection area and a second optical path (B), the light in the second path (B) being partly directed into an obstruction detection optical path (13) for detecting an obstructive object (11) which directly or indirectly covers the window (3), and a window comparator (16) which compares an output of the light acceptor (9) with a high-level output value thereof which is previously obtained when no obstruction intervenes the first optical path (A) as well as a low-level output value thereof which is previously obtained when no obstruction intervenes the second optical path (B), whereby the comparator (16) detects the presence of obstruction within the detection area when the light acceptor output is above the high-level output value, whereas it detects the presence of obstruction on the outer surface of or in the neighbourhood of the window (3) when the output is below the low-level output value, characterized in that a prism lens (8) comprising a prism portion (83) and a lens portion (82) is interposed between the light emitter (7) and the window (3) so as to guide the light projected by the light emitter (7) into the first and second optical paths (A, B), respectively.

Inventors: IMURO YOSHIHIRO, TOMOOKA HIROYUKI, IMURO, YOSHIHIRO, TOMOOKA, HIROYUKI
Applicants: OPTEX CO LTD, OPTEX CO. LTD.
Application year: 1994
Main classification: G08B29
IPC codes: G08B29, G01J1